LOL!! I didn't notice the date on this thread was from 2010 because when I looked at the topic both post dates showed June 17 so I didn't even pay attention they were one year apart. I saw the photos and thought "OH, those are gorgeous!" Then I saw my post from last year!! GREAT to see these photos again. Hollyhocks really are special plants. I've never had luck with them in this yard. Well, maybe now that I don't have any groundhogs roaming around I should try them again. I swear they are a groundhog magnet though. As soon as I plant them all the groundhogs in the neighborhood will show up for dinner!!!

I am really not sure what 'spring sickness' is, but the foliage this year is not very nice on many of the DLs. I thought maybe it comes from over-crowding. I am going to give them some vitamins, but I probably need to wait until early, early Spring. I have to go do some research. DLs are a hardy bunch and the blooms here are beautiful, but I don't like ratty looking foliage. I even cut some back to get rid of the ugly ends. Thanks. Jane

The pictures above show that you are getting some great uses out of that Glass too! I have only one L-Lens so far and I love my.(300mm f4 IS) I would bet that it will be around when the camera I have is gone(20D) even if it is new. I will more then likely add to that next year or so..... don't know which one yet. I like both the ones you used above. HEHE (70-200mm f2.8 IS) would be nice.... I would have to save a little lunch money for that one! john

John, note that, when I photographed 'Mons. Tillier', he was sitting properly in the Tea section, where he belonged. I think that maybe someone had picked him up and carried him around. I've done that myself, but I do usually put them back where they came from. I had a lovely conversation over there with a gentleman who loved all the same Teas that I do. (He had a passion for 'General Gallieni'. So do I, with thanks to Gean.) Then I had to scuttle back to our table, as we were a little shorthanded this year. But I was SO happy to meet several of our GW group! That MADE MY DAY! Well, THAT, and the fact that I took memberships from NEW people, who were just beginning this voyage of discovery. That's so terribly important. It was a wonderful day. And after, we headed north, and spent a couple of days in Ft. Bragg. If you get a chance to visit the Mendocino Botanical Garden, be sure to do so.